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D-backs eager to see Bradley's debut vs. Rockies

Archie Bradley is the D-backs' top pitching prospect and carries enormous swing-and-miss potential, but he needs to develop better control

By Barry M. Bloom
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MLB.com |

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- After missing his start because of a rainout of Saturday's split-squad nightcap against the Cubs at Salt River Fields, the first outing of the spring for heralded D-backs right-hander Archie Bradley has been rescheduled for Monday night's second game of a day-night doubleheader, D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said Sunday.

The 7:10 p.m. MT start at the spring home of the D-backs is against a split squad of Rockies.

The D-backs have been eager to see Bradley, who was 14-5 with a 1.84 ERA and 162 strikeouts last season at two Minor League levels, including 12-5 with a 1.97 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 21 starts for Double-A Mobile.

"We'd like to see everybody, but because of the weather we may not see everybody," Gibson said. "We watched a lot of their [simulated] games, watched their bullpens quite a bit. We have priorities, for sure. We want to make sure some of those guys get into the game."

Bradley was a possibility to come out of camp in the big league starting rotation. But that started to dim when the D-backs signed free agent Bronson Arroyo to a two-year deal, guaranteeing him $23.5 million. Barring injury, the D-backs rotation should be Patrick Corbin, Brendon McCarthy, Wade Miley, Trevor Cahill and Arroyo.

Right now, Gibson said he'd just like to see the 21-year-old Bradley, Arizona's first-round pick (seventh overall) in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, throw his fastball and have a positive outing.

"I just want him to go out there and pitch," Gibson said. "He's been working on everything. The one thing to worry about is him getting too much on his mind. He's a natural power guy. He knows he's got to command the zone. He knows he's got to throw strikes. He's got something most guys don't have [a hard fastball] and we'd like to see him use it. I don't want him to go out there and think he's some finesse pitcher right now."